Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith announces that they have retained shooting guard J.J. Redick and most likely will not resign forward Matt Barnes during a press conference at RDV Sportsplex in Maitland, FL Friday, July 16, 2010. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel)

Otis Smith should be feeling the universal love these days for engineering the Orlando Magic’s blockbuster trade in December.

During TNT’s halftime report in the Orlando Magic-Boston Celtics game, Charles Barkley gave the Magic a glowing endorsement of its offense, particularly Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson.

“This is why I love the trade in Orlando,” Charles Barkley said. “They got more weapons offensively, I think, than any team in the NBA. They got a bunch of guys who can score. You have to take your hat off to Otis Smith, they have a chance now.”

But it’s the Magic’s defense that needs work. The fact that the Magic allowed an early 10-point Boston Celtics lead and 60 percent shooting from the field largely contributed to the Magic’s 109-106 road loss, says Sentinel Magic reporter Josh Robbins.

That certainly can’t happen against a team like Boston, which has four players (Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce) with 20,000 plus career points.

On another completely different, yet interesting note… Charles Barkley gave his opinion on who is the best point guard in the NBA so far and the popular Chris Paul wasn’t No. 1 or even No. 2.

“Derrick Rose is the new pest point guard in the NBA,” Barkley said. “Chris Paul is No. 3, I hate to say it, Deron Williams I love you, but Derrick Rose is the best point guard in the NBA right now.”

Rose, though, isn’t better on paper than Paul and Williams yet. Paul currently averages the third highest total assists in the NBA (9.6 apg) and that’s one spot above Williams, who averages 9.4. Rajon Rondo leads the NBA with 13.4 apg followed by Steve Nash (10.8).

Rose averages 8.1 apg, but the more telling statistic is turnovers. Rose collected 140 turnovers so far — more than any of the above mentioned guards.

Derrick Rose has potential to be the best point guard in the NBA one day, but not today.

TNT analyst Charles Barkley talks outside the Staples Center before the start of the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE ORG

The always entertaining cast of TNT analysts didn’t disappoint during the second headline NBA game of Monday night between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers.

During the halftime report, Charles Barkley showed the world that he knows how to “Dougie.” But I have to admit the best part about this exchange is Ernie Johnson’s reaction.

Barkley said he never met Cam Newton and did not purchase tickets for him. He didn’t shy away from the topic saying that he would have purchased tickets for Newton if he wanted them and would have given him a tour of the NBA locker room considering Cam Newton is the third best athlete in Auburn sports history behind Barkley and Bo Jackson according to Barkley.

But the quips didn’t stop there. Charles Barkley also gave his take on the controversial Tucker Carlson comments on Michael Vick. He said Carlson previously worked for TNT but was fired because “he sucked.” Barkley also added that “the brothers” were pulling for Michael Vick as he paid his debt to society.

Labor and contract disputes must be the new thing for 2010. According to Sports Business Journal, DirecTV could drop the Golf Channel by Dec. 31, which would result in the loss of possibly 15 million viewers.

The Golf Channel, based in Orlando, had higher viewership than MLB Network and NBA TV? Wow, now that is impressive.

Obviously, golf hasn’t lapped basketball and baseball in terms of sports fan popularity. But these numbers mean either one of two things; 1. Baseball and basketball coverage is so saturated on larger networks like ESPN and TNT or…2. The Golf Channel is doing a better job connecting with its audience than MLB Network and NBA TV.

I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest fan of golf. But I occasionally watch some programming on the Golf Channel and have to say the quality of content has been pretty diverse, entertaining and informative with shows like “The Haney Project” and in-depth profile stories like the one about Donald Trump’s pursuit to build a world-class golf course in Scotland.

On another note, things must be going well for sports broadcaster Erik Kuselias to leave a cushy position at ESPN to join the Golf Channel.

So are you surprised by how the Golf Channel has performed against the MLB Network and NBA TV?

Musician Lenny Kravitz attends the Precious Photocall held during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Rock and roll star Lenny Kravitz will be the voice of the NBA commercial promotions this season on TNT. His upcoming 2011 album will receive nice exposure from the network, which plans to feature his song “Come on Get It” as the NBA’s theme song this season starting today, Oct. 13.

“Everybody knows that it is going to be a really hot season and I am really proud to be associated with the NBA and TNT,” Kravitz said via press release .

Rick Fox poses with Cheryl Burke following the 11th season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars," Monday, Sept. 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Is ABC’s Dancing with the Stars already having a positive effect on the career of retired NBA veteran Rick Fox? Possibly.

NBA TV, a partner channel with TNT, announced Rick Fox will join the network as a guest studio analyst. NBA TV is carried in more than 53 million homes in the United States and will broadcast up to 275 games this season.